Spinning method for spandex type fibers



DEFENSIVE PUBLICATION UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Published at therequest of the applicant or owner in accordance with the Notice of Dec.16, 1969, 869 0.G. 687. The abstracts of Defensive Publicationapplications are identified by distinctly numbered series and arearranged chronologically. The heading of each abstract indicates thenumber of pages of specification, including claims and sheets ofdrawings contained in the application as originally filed. The files ofthese applications are available to the public for inspection andreproduction may be purchased for 30 cents a sheet.

Defensive Publication applications have not been examined as to themerits of alleged invention. The Patent Ofiice makes no assertion as tothe novelty of the disclosed subject matter.

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 16, 1969 T869,016 SPINNING METHOD FOR SPANDEX TYPEFIBERS Roger M. Schulken, Jr., and James R. G. Pearman, both of R0. Box511, Kingsport, Tenn. 37662 Continuation of application Ser. No.656,813, July 28, 1967. This application Aug. 11, 1969, Ser. No. 850,335Int. Cl. Dtllf US. Cl. 264-204 1 Sheet Drawing. 19 Pages SpecificationMethod for manufacturing textile fibers that includes a step ofextruding a solution of fiber forming material through a plurality ofsubstantially cylindrical orifices in a spinneret plate, said orificeshaving substantially uniform cross-section throughout a substantialproportion of a cylindrical length, passing said extruded solution intoa fluid medium such as that normally found in a spinning cabinet wherebyfibers are formed, and collecting said fibers, the improvementcomprising having said length to eifective diameter ratio of saidorifices between about 5 and about 200, and collecting said fibers atthe rate of at least about 200 feet per minute, said improvement beingespecially characterized in that the fibers are comprised of anelastomeric polyurethane-derived polymer. The rate of production of suchpolyurethane-derived polymers (spandex polymers) is increasedsubstantially by this process as compared to using the same process forspinning solutions of other fiber forming materials such as vinylchloride, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, modacrylics, cellulose esterssuch as cellulose acetate, nylon, polyesters such as polyethyleneterephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Especially good resultswith spandex fiber spinning are obtained when the length to diameterratio is between about 28 and about 75.

Dec. 16, 1969 R. M. SCHULKEN, JR, ETAL T869,0l6 I SPINNING METHOD FORSPANDEX TYPE FIBERS Original Filed July 28, 1967 Roger M. Schulken,Jr.James R. G. Pearmun INVENTORS

